LL Bean Backpack - Which to Purchase?

[Terry36]

To those who have purchased an LLBean rolling Backpack for their kids, which would you recommend for an 8 yr old girl 3rd grader - the original or the deluxe? She wants a red bag so the rolling critters are out! How much bigger are the deluxes compared to the original?

Thanks

 

[tripletots]

This is about the regular backpacks, we don't own the rolling one. When my daughter was in the 4th grade I ordered her the deluxe, she is now a rising 9th grader and the backpack is in perfect condition. They last forever, I am getting ready to order her a second one for odd/even days in high school. I asked if she wanted two new ones and she said no just one.

My youngest 3 are still using their lunch boxes from first grade. They are now rising 4th. They don't want new ones either. They like their LL Bean stuff. And it does last for many years!

 

[deedeetoo]

My dd had the original (not rolling) from when she was in Kindergarten until the middle of thrid grade when it finally got a little too old (got a hole in the bottom). We replaced it with the deluxe because I expect it to last several years and the original will be too small. She is very small for her age and the deluxe was not too big for her. It should be fine for your dd.

My school system doesn't allow rolling backpacks. I'm not sure if this is common or just us. They say its dangerous going up and down stairs and on the buses.

 

[surfgirl]

Our school system also does not allow rolling backpacks.

To the OP, yours may, I would just confirm....

ETA: ooops, typing too quickly. had the double negative thing going on.

 

[kacaju]

go with the bigger one. My girls have used their LL Bean backpacks for years!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Our school system also doesn't not allow rolling backpacks.

To the OP, yours may, I would just confirm....

I second this

Our school does not allow them.

 

[Grendalynn]

DSs have had the Orignal delux versions. The origianal is great when they are younger, but as they get older the more compartmnets the easier to organize and better room. DS8 is going into 3rd grade. one compartmnet is for homework and lunch bag (also another great LLBean product) and the other compartment is for weather retalted stuff...( i.e. snow pants, rain coat, hat, jacket, whichever - to keep the homeowrk dry and safe.) Too much room is better than not enough.

And being here in New Hampshire with a LLBean outlet right here in town, we get great deals. My sons lunch bag was $4 because it had someone elses initials on it. I look a seam ripper to it and he has a great new sturdy lunch bag!! Same with DS4s bag, and DS9mo "diaper" bag - what bargains. My school/work bag is one of LLBeans great boat bags - it had the letter G on it and was in the rejcet bins (catalog returns, error in the monogram dept); someone must have used teh wrng color thread, the wring bag or even font. Let me know if you are looking for a bargain, and maybe I can swing in and see what they have this week! Its hit or miss....

 

[Minnie_me]

Our school doesn't allow the rolling backpacks. Kids trip all over the place when those things are in the hall. They're hazardous.

Aside from that, I love "bean bags", as we call them! My girls always get them and use them for years!!!

Don't get the small one - -they're absolutely tiny. Not really even suitable for Kindergarten. All the others are great.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

I am waffling over this decision as well. DD7's backpack from last year (Disney Store rolling one with attachable lunch box) is still in great shape but I keep hearing such great things about the LL Bean ones. Guess I'll see how much uniforms add up to and then decide

Our school actually requests that the students have a rolling backpack. It makes it much easier for us as I don't know if dd could manage hers if she had to carry it!

 

[mericletwins]

And being here in New Hampshire with a LLBean outlet right here in town, we get great deals. My sons lunch bag was $4 because it had someone elses initials on it. I look a seam ripper to it and he has a great new sturdy lunch bag!! Same with DS4s bag, and DS9mo "diaper" bag - what bargains. My school/work bag is one of LLBeans great boat bags - it had the letter G on it and was in the rejcet bins (catalog returns, error in the monogram dept); someone must have used teh wrng color thread, the wring bag or even font. Let me know if you are looking for a bargain, and maybe I can swing in and see what they have this week! Its hit or miss....

I am about to send two back that have monograms. Somehow they messed up and sent us a double order. When I called to ask if they wanted the monogram book bags back they said yes because they donate them.

 

[Grendalynn]

I am about to send two back that have monograms. Somehow they messed up and sent us a double order. When I called to ask if they wanted the monogram book bags back they said yes because they donate them.

They could possibly donate SOME of them, but I know my family has bought alot of them up over the years... How funny is that - they are so busted! What areyour initials and the color, I will keep my eye out for them in th e"Donation" pile...

 

[Kim1964]

DD#1 is entering 6th grade and I just ordered her a deluxe. She's been using an original for the past 3 years and it's still in great shape, but she wanted something a little bigger. I ordered an original for DD#2, who is entering kindergarten. I expect that bag will last until at least 4th grade.

DD#1 had a rolling (not LL Bean) bag in 2nd grade, but it wouldn't fit in her locker. Of course, she didn't tell me that and I had to hear it from her teacher at parent/teacher conferences.

Anyway, the Bean backpacks are great.

 

[kato0627]

A little OT.. I just ordered my son a CROCS backpack and it came today. It is great. Very roomy and love the colors. Just wanted to share. Also has several spots for Jibbitz on it. He is very excitied with it.

 

[CruisinEars]

My son has the rolling critter pack and he loves it. He is going into 4th grade and is the perfect size for him. We will be ordering my dd who is going into 1st a rolling critter pack too before our trip in May. Each kid will use their packs for our 15 day trip as carry ons.

 

[ZPT1022]

DSs have had the Orignal delux versions. The origianal is great when they are younger, but as they get older the more compartmnets the easier to organize and better room. DS8 is going into 3rd grade. one compartmnet is for homework and lunch bag (also another great LLBean product) and the other compartment is for weather retalted stuff...( i.e. snow pants, rain coat, hat, jacket, whichever - to keep the homeowrk dry and safe.) Too much room is better than not enough.

And being here in New Hampshire with a LLBean outlet right here in town, we get great deals. My sons lunch bag was $4 because it had someone elses initials on it. I look a seam ripper to it and he has a great new sturdy lunch bag!! Same with DS4s bag, and DS9mo "diaper" bag - what bargains. My school/work bag is one of LLBeans great boat bags - it had the letter G on it and was in the rejcet bins (catalog returns, error in the monogram dept); someone must have used teh wrng color thread, the wring bag or even font. Let me know if you are looking for a bargain, and maybe I can swing in and see what they have this week! Its hit or miss....

Where in NH is the LL BEan outlet?? My sister lives in NH and if it's close to her maybe she can check on bags for me. Or I can use it as an excuse for a visit

 

[Grendalynn]

Where in NH is the LL BEan outlet?? My sister lives in NH and if it's close to her maybe she can check on bags for me. Or I can use it as an excuse for a visit

There is one in North Conway and, not sure but i think the one in Kittery is an outlet as well. Well actually, I think they call them Factory Stores. They always have great stuff and so well lasting!!

 

[mericletwins]

They could possibly donate SOME of them, but I know my family has bought alot of them up over the years... How funny is that - they are so busted! What areyour initials and the color, I will keep my eye out for them in th e"Donation" pile...

Hmmm....one is a floral. Blue background I think. Nope, I just went and looked. It is the Original book bag in Lime green flower patch. The initials are BLM and also an Original book bag in red with the initials TCM.

 

[ZPT1022]

There is one in North Conway and, not sure but i think the one in Kittery is an outlet as well. Well actually, I think they call them Factory Stores. They always have great stuff and so well lasting!!

Thanks! She is in Concord, don't know how close North Conway is, but we can always make a day trip out of it. Any excuse for shopping

 

[Grendalynn]

Thanks! She is in Concord, don't know how close North Conway is, but we can always make a day trip out of it. Any excuse for shopping

Only about and hour and a half or so out. Well worth it - its the Outlet Shopping Capital .... such great bargains, especially for back to school!! GOdd stuff!